UVU Conference on Suicide Prevention

OCTOBER 5, 2018

UVU Conference on Suicide Prevention

The UVU Conference on Suicide Prevention is a single-day event that will provide information
on a wide range of issues dealing with the topic of suicide. It is designed to meet
the needs and interests of students, professionals, families, service providers, and
community members. The conference will feature an opening keynote from Taryn Aiken.
As a widely respected and dedicated advocate, Taryn shares her story and passion to
give hope and educate our communities about suicide. She is a survivor of her own
attempts as well as a survivor of suicide loss, losing her father Terry Aiken on October
5, 2002. Taryn is a founding member of the Utah Chapter of the American Foundation
for Suicide Prevention and currently serves as the Area Director for Utah and Nevada.
Our afternoon plenary address will be offered by Michael J. Staley, who is the Suicide
Prevention Research Coordinator and Psychological Autopsy Examiner at the Utah Office
of the Medical Examiner. Staley's current research focuses on 10 to 17 year-old Utahns
who died by suicide in the previous two years. This research aims to develop a specific
set of risk and protective factors that will inform and guide prevention efforts in
schools, communities, and throughout the state. He will share his findings and the
resulting new insights. The conference will also offer several concurrent sessions
dealing with the topic of suicide and its impact on adults and children. The conference
will begin at 9 a.m. on Friday, October 5, 2018. Tickets are $55 for early bird registration,
or $70 after September 1 and includes lunch, parking, and all conference materials.

This year we will offer 5 NASW endorsed CEUs (included in conference registration)
for those interested.

Third Region (Section 3)

Speakers

KEYNOTE: Taryn Hiatt

As a dedicated advocate, Taryn shares her story and passion to give hope and educate
our communities about suicide. She is a survivor of her own attempts as well as a
survivor of suicide loss, losing her father Terry Aiken on October 5, 2002. Taryn
is a founding member of the Utah Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
and currently serves as the Area Director for Utah and Nevada. Taryn is a certified
safeTALK, CONNECT Postvention and Mental Health First Aid Trainer, facilitating hundreds
of seminars to many different groups. Taryn is a passionate advocate for change and
has been featured in both US News and The Huffington Post. She has testified before
Congressional Members in Washington DC to increase awareness and support for better
access to mental health services and to promote healthy discussions about suicide.
She is widely respected throughout Utah for her hard work and dedication to saving
lives. Taryn is a recent graduate of Utah Valley University with her Bachelor's Degree
in Psychology.

PLENARY: Michael J. Staley

Michael J. Staley is the Suicide Prevention Research Coordinator and Psychological
Autopsy Examiner at the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner. Staley's current research
focuses on 10 to 17 year-old Utahns who died by suicide in the previous two years.
This research aims to develop a specific set of risk and protective factors that will
inform and guide prevention efforts in schools, communities, and throughout the state.
Staley hails from Montana where he graduated from Carroll College. He attended graduate
school at the University of New Hampshire where he is currently completing his PhD
in sociology. Staley lives in Salt Lake City with his partner, Brayden.